‘Les Miserables’ arrives at auditorium
After collecting 28 film awards in the past three months, the hit musical “Les Miserables” has become a sensation from its December film adaptation. This month, the musical makes its way to Park.
Park’s production will feature “Les Miserables” in its minimalistic form, with little more than the actors singing on stage.
Choir director John Myszkowski said he thinks this traditional style will make the production more exciting.
“I think it will be more emotionally impactful because the actors’ expressions and proximity to the audience make it seem as if the audience is the character to whom they are singing,” Myszkowski said.
Choir member senior Maggie O’Brien said she agrees the style benefits the performance by giving the singers full focus.
“With nothing on stage but the singers, it’s much more intense,” O’Brien said. “There’s nothing else to focus on, and you can zero in on the soloists.”
O’Brien said having few props and costumes also enhances the performance.
“There are no props on stage, and there’s little focus on the costumes, so the actors must show more emotion to keep the story moving,” O’Brien said. “The audience will feel more emotionally affected.”
Freshman Ethan Fogel, who said he plans to attend as an audience member, thinks the absence of a set or big musical numbers won’t matter from the audiences’ perspective.
“I think the plot can still translate pretty well,” Fogel said. “The most important thing is to get the story’s point across. If the talent’s there in the actors, a set won’t be necessary.”
Myszkowski said he also chose to hire a second director to help with the show.
“It’s always difficult to get a lot done, because I can’t require students (to) stay after school for three or four hours,” Myszkowski said. “Having another director is good for continuity of practices.
Choir member sophomore Noa Raasch said having a second director has helped the cast.
“Having two directors makes practices run much more smoothly,” Raasch said. “We’re able to get so much more done each time.”
The performances of Les Miserables are 7 p.m. Feb. 28, March 1 and 2 and 2 p.m. March 3 in the auditorium.
